COLUMBUS, Ohio — For the first five months of this season, Sergei Bobrovsky’s contract status — have you heard he’s a pending unrestricted free agent? — made more headlines than his play. Not that his play was worthy of much praise, at times, mind you.

This has been a season like no other for Bobrovsky, from his preseason dropping of the gauntlet on management to his midseason walking out on the team, for which he was suspended and subjected to public scorn.

But since the NHL trade deadline, the veteran goaltender’s play has seemed more … relaxed. On Friday, in a much-needed win over Carolina, old-school Bobrovsky returned to the scene.

“Phenomenal,” said captain Nick Foligno.

“Unbelievable,” said Seth Jones.

“Excellent,” said Brandon Dubinsky.

Bobrovsky had 46 saves — the second-most in his 449-game career, and the most he’s ever had in a shutout — and the...